[Mz]

Some people enjoy working. Some people don't want romantic partners. Most so called friendships really aren't the deep, meaningful, supportive experience depicted in popular media. Most so called friends are really "fair weather friends" -- people to do something shallow and fun with, not someone who has your back when it counts.

I thought her story was interesting because it does fit nicely with my understanding of why I did not have a successful career: Because I supported my husband's career and devotedly raised our two children. I don't regret that and I hope the world will eventually come up with answers better than "A woman can have a career OR a family." But given how many men have a career and not much of a relationship to their children, I don't feel like that is a thing society imposes on women only.

I feel like that is rooted in the reality that there are only so many hours in the day and both parenting and a serious career are big time sinks. Serious careers tend to consume your life. Most good parents have intentionally made choices that put family first, at the expense of "getting ahead." Middle class families -- a shrinking minority at this point -- are the ones that tend to be best for kids. At least according to one study, you see as much neglect and drug abuse in wealthy neighborhoods as you do in the ghetto.

Life is richer when we embrace diversity. Some people like putting all their time into their work. I hope her work winds up being a net benefit for the world, as she seems to envision. Some things cannot be accomplished without one person babysitting it 24/7 for years and years and years. Some of the things that need that kind of attention do make the world a better place.